I wonder if the product planners, engineers and designers at Nissan are as conflicted about the next Z as the members of this board are. There seem to be two main lines of thought about the next Z35:

1) Move the Z back to its roots, with a smaller RWD platform, more modest HP needs, and updated tech (including possible hybrid). Less cost, less weight.

2) Advance the Z towards a faster, more complex machine; complete with twin-turbo VR and all the latest technology available. Damn the torpedos, er...weight and expense.

Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall on some of those internal discussions within Nissan? I suspect this is an open-ended conversation that is going on RIGHT NOW, as the next Z design is still a pie in the sky.

S30's are cool and nostalgic, but how long will it be until you get the itch for more power? I know not everyone will have that desire, but some days the yearning for power is there regardless of handling.(not trying to start an argument, just thinking out loud). Personally, I would like to see a S30 retro, it would be awesome. Not a half assed attempt like the camaro, more like the challenger in regard to being an almost direct clone. Cars had so much more character back in the day.

If they did the S30 retro build like I fantasized about, then they shouldn't put too much extra luxuries into it. Let it be a tuner car if they can. Give it some basic goodies right of the line, ensure that it's fun to drive and has great brakes, suspension, and a bullet proof engine. Other than that, the new Z should be more than affordable for the enthusiast that wants to have a really fun car as soon as they buy it.

"Ehhh, when it gets here, it gets here."
My thought exactly. Im 39 currently and I still get excited when I drive my Z.
Im my teens with a 300zx, then a 350z, now a 370z.
Not sure what type of "owner" I am to Nissan, I just want to be able to beat the car next to me, plain and simple.
Yes, most of the time I drive for the fun of having a Z.
However, I expect the Z35 to be way more powerful than the 370z...that's all I care. If not, this will be my last Z.

"Ehhh, when it gets here, it gets here."
My thought exactly. Im 39 currently and I still get excited when I drive my Z.
Im my teens with a 300zx, then a 350z, now a 370z.
Not sure what type of "owner" I am to Nissan, I just want to be able to beat the car next to me, plain and simple.
Yes, most of the time I drive for the fun of having a Z.
However, I expect the Z35 to be way more powerful than the 370z...that's all I care. If not, this will be my last Z.

Now that they announced the new platform for infinity...it will follow suit. Look at the g series. The Z has been following that for the past 13 years.

So I am guessing we will see the VR30tt in there. 400hp twin turbo for the nismo and possibly the 350hp option as in infinity as well.

Not so fast. While the new Infiniti Q60 coupe was shown at the NAIAS in Detroit, there's no guarantee the next Z will be built on the same platform. While Nissan did try to get some 'bang for the buck' by engineering multiple models off the FM chassis, they've let it be known that may not be the case with the Z35. The new Q60 with the 400-hp VR engine will likely be a $60K+ model and that's going beyond the segment Nissan would like to compete in. If you study much of the comments coming from product planners and designers at Nissan, there's plenty of internal debate still going on over what the next Z should, or could be.

And, as outlined in post #1 of this thread, there's really no reason they need to rush this decision either. So, get used to the BRUTAL TRUTH and just enjoy the Z you have!

So what is the Q60 400 hp supposed to compete against? Is it to be a 435 coupe competitor or is it to compete with the M4. Regardless, I think prices will have to be the same or a little less than their respective competitor. BMW is still the apex predator in this segment. I doubt Infiniti will beat them out by out pricing them. I suspect the Q60 (300 hp) will be 40-45k like an A5 and the 400 hp Q60 for 50-55k like the S5. If the current Z/Q price model is used, their is no room for a Z35 in respect to price. Z35 very doubtful to be on same platform as Q60 IMO.

So what is the Q60 400 hp supposed to compete against? Is it to be a 435 coupe competitor or is it to compete with the M4. Regardless, I think prices will have to be the same or a little less than their respective competitor. BMW is still the apex predator in this segment. I doubt Infiniti will beat them out by out pricing them. I suspect the Q60 (300 hp) will be 40-45k like an A5 and the 400 hp Q60 for 50-55k like the S5. If the current Z/Q price model is used, their is no room for a Z35 in respect to price. Z35 very doubtful to be on same platform as Q60 IMO.

Yep- that about sums up the BRUTAL TRUTH about the next Z. Nissan has not given any indication they intend to leave the market segment they've positioned the Z in. The Q60 coupe looks like it'll compete in the much higher priced luxury sports coupe market.

How about Nissan developed a new twin turbo z or Infiniti G! that will definitely be able to compete with the new top model mustangs camaros and corvettes. I don't think an all new z35 is needed at the moment. Just a forced induction option from the factory would be enough lol

These American muscle cars are all trying to catch up to the GT-R...so this is leaving the Z car to condend with the BRZ/FRS class of cars... Nissan is in a strange spot with the Z car. They sort of backed themselves up into a niche corner and will be interesting to see how it plays out. Could be another reason why Nissan scrapped the very cool looking IDx... I would have signed up for that car in a heartbeat. Thanks Nissan for not putting that into production..grrrr..